by Joan Jonker
‘Well, when I first got the job, it was loading and unloading the ships that come into port. Then a month or so ago, I got promoted. Now I oversee the loading and unloading. It requires a lot of paperwork, keeping a log book of goods that come in and go out, and the tonnage. It took some getting used to, but now I find it as easy as falling off a bike.’ He lifted his pint glass, his blue eyes twinkling in the still weather-beaten face. ‘And I have to say the rise in pay wasn’t to be sneezed at.’
Derek grinned. ‘In the hopeful event I manage to get a job with that firm, how long will I have to be there to get a job like yours?’
‘I’ve got another twenty years to go before I retire,’ Corker told him, ‘but there’s a bloke who does the same type of work as me, and he’s sixty. Only a matter of five years, me old mate, and time goes by quickly.’
‘Not that ruddy quick,’ Derek said, laughing. ‘Ye’re making an old man of me, and I haven’t started living yet.’
‘Find yerself a good woman, like I did,’ Corker said. ‘It’ll take yer a few months to get used to walking straight, but with a woman in yer life yer’ll get over that.’
‘It’s going to be more difficult finding a good woman than finding a job.’ Derek gazed at the faces round the table. ‘It’s not as though I’m in the flush of youth and can go jazzing. A nice slow waltz is about my heavy.’
Phil smiled at the memory he had of the first time he saw Doreen, and how he’d asked her for a dance. ‘There’s men older than you go dancing, Derek, but they go to the likes of the Grafton.’ Then he shrugged his shoulders. ‘Mind you, listening to the men in work, most of the women that go there are middle-aged and out for a good time.’
‘He’ll have no trouble finding himself a good woman,’ Corker said with good faith. ‘A fine-looking man like him, he’ll not go short.’
Derek chortled. ‘As a last resort, I can always go knocking on doors.’
‘Just keep away from four houses in our street, though,’ Jack said. ‘We’re four happily married men, all very content with what we have.’
‘A fine lot of mates you are, if yer won’t even share yer wife and contentment with a bloke desperate for tender loving care. I’ll remember that when I’m writing out me last will and testament.’
There was much shouting and laughter in the Bennett house, with the youngsters enjoying every minute of it. Ken was really happy being with kids his own age. And he proved to have a good sense of humour when it came to forfeits. He seemed to have a never-ending stream of jokes which brought forth laughter, applause and whistles. He was definitely a hit with the boys as well as the girls, for he didn’t brag or try to be big in front of Ruthie and Bella. And as the night wore on, he felt he’d known them all his life. What they didn’t suspect was that he’d deliberately lost a few hands of cards because he didn’t want them to think he was showing off.
Ruthie was sad when she looked at the clock and saw it was a quarter to ten. ‘We haven’t got time for another game, so shall we put the cards away and just talk until me mam and dad come home?’
‘What about washing the dishes?’ Ken asked. ‘I’ll give yer a hand with those, save yer mam having to do them.’
‘Yeah, and I’ll help,’ Bella said, missing the daggers that came her way from Ruthie. ‘We can have them done in no time.’
‘While you’re doing that, we’ll tidy up in here and put the chairs back,’ Gordon said. ‘And if we see any crumbs on the floor we’ll pick them up.’
Ruthie was smiling when she pushed her chair back. ‘It’s been a good night, hasn’t it?’ There was a chorus of approval, and Johnny said, ‘Ask yer mam if we can come again next Friday. We should all club together to pay for the food and lemonade, so how about the boys giving sixpence each?’
Ruthie knew her mother would go mad if she took money off them, so she shook her head. ‘No, leave it for now. I’ll ask me mam about next Friday and let yer know. And if she says it’s all right, yer can club together for the lemonade, and me and Bella will fork out for the sandwiches.’
The boys were well pleased with that, and already looking forward to the following Friday. ‘Let’s get the dishes washed and the place tidied up then, and make a good impression on Mrs Bennett.’ Johnny was thinking that some time in the future she could well be his mother-in-law. ‘We need to get in her good books.’
Across the road in Doreen’s, there was much hilarity as Nellie was in excellent form. She was in the middle of the floor, where she liked to be, doing her impressions. She did a perfect Elsie Flanaghan, with her arms folded and her head nodding as she pretended to be standing on the corner of the street gossiping to everyone who passed. She even changed position when she took the part of the poor soul held captive by Elsie, and forced to listen as she bad-mouthed all their neighbours. She had Edna Hanley spot on, too, in mannerisms and speech. And she even took herself off, pointing to an invisible tray of cakes and pointing out to Edna which one she wanted. ‘No, not that one, yer silly nit! The one next to it!’ She impersonated film stars from Mae West to Laurel and Hardy. She needed the help of Molly for the latter, and they were so funny they had their audience doubled up.
There was one person, a very small one, who enjoyed herself more than anyone. And that was young Amy Thompson. For the first half hour she’d sat on the couch pressed close to her mother because she was shy. She wasn’t used to being amongst so many strangers, or being up so late. But Nellie’s magic worked its charm on her, and soon her giggles joined the laughter of the grown-ups. And to give Nellie her due, she never let one swear word leave her lips. Mind you, she’d been warned by Molly to watch herself or she’d be sent home in disgrace.
‘Oh dear,’ Claire said, wiping her eyes. ‘I’ve never laughed so much in me life, and me ribs are sore.’
Amy spoke for the first time since she’d entered the house. ‘So are mine, Mam, and me cheeks are sore, too!’
Nellie’s eyes narrowed and she tapped her chin as she looked down on the girl. ‘Well, let’s see now. For the entertainment, it’ll be threepence for yer mam, but we’ll only charge you a penny ’cos ye’re only little.’
Amy thought of a funny answer, but wondered whether they’d think she was cheeky if she spoke out. But looking at Nellie, so fat and cuddly, she knew she wouldn’t get into trouble. ‘I’m sorry, I haven’t brought me purse out with me.’
They all laughed, but none so heartily as Nellie, her tummy, bosom and chins. ‘Oh, aye, letting secrets out of school are yer? Is that what yer mam says when she wants a loaf on the slate?’
‘Take no notice of her, sunshine,’ Molly said. ‘Everyone knows their own tricks best. And believe me, no one knows more tricks than my mate.’
‘She’s never been up this late before, have yer, sweetheart?’ Claire stroked her daughter’s hair. There was a strong resemblance between mother and daughter, indicating Amy would grow into a beauty. ‘It’s five to ten now, so I think we’d better give yer brother a knock. We’ve got a good fifteen-minute walk before us.’
‘Yes, time marches on,’ Molly said, pushing a chair back under the table. ‘It’s work tomorrow for most of them, so we’d better be on our way.’ She gave Victoria a kiss, and said, ‘It’s time you were in bed, sunshine, yer need yer beauty sleep.’
‘A good laugh does me more good, Molly, ’cos then when I go to sleep I have a smile on me face, and it stays there until the next morning.’
‘I didn’t get to see your baby again after all, Doreen.’ Claire had her arm across Amy’s shoulders. ‘He’s good for sleeping right through the noise we made.’
‘She doesn’t know she’s born,’ Molly said, hugging Doreen. ‘He’s one in a million is young Bobby. Eats and sleeps when it’s time, and is happy and contented. Perhaps next time yer come, Claire, he’ll be awake.’
Amy took a deep breath before daring to ask, ‘Can I come again, please?’
‘Of course yer can, sunshine! Yer can come here, or to my house, any time yer li
ke. But right now I’d better get across the street or I’ll have a few mothers after me.’
Molly was the first to step down on to the pavement, and she looked up the street in surprise when she heard her name called. ‘Oh, blimey, here’s a crowd of drunken men who must have been thrown out of the pub.’
‘Now, Molly, me darlin’,’ Corker boomed, ‘have yer ever seen me drunk?’
‘The pub doesn’t stock enough beer to make Corker drunk, love,’ Jack said. He, with George and Phil, only ever had one pint to every two of Corker’s. ‘And before yer start on me, I’m as sober as a judge.’
‘I thought yer were bringing me a list, Corker.’ Molly shook a fist in his face. ‘Were yer so eager to get to the pub yer didn’t have time?’
‘I did start it, Molly, me darlin’, and Derek here can verify that. But I left it to Ellen to write out what she’d like for the buffet. She’ll have it ready, so let’s cross over and I’ll get it off her.’
Corker put the key in the door, and turned his head. ‘Come in, all of yer. Ellen will be glad to see yer.’
Nellie moved towards him. ‘I’ll come in, Corker. Ellen’s bound to be making a pot of tea.’
‘Oh, no, yer don’t, my precious.’ To everyone’s amazement, for George was usually so placid, he grabbed hold of Nellie’s arm and pulled on it so hard her feet left the ground. ‘It’s home for you, to make yer hard-working husband a drink.’
‘What on earth has George been drinking?’ Molly asked. ‘Whatever it was I hope you haven’t been on it, Jack.’
Claire would have loved to stay longer with these people who seemed to have made a wonderful life for themselves. But she had Amy to think of. ‘I won’t come in if yer don’t mind, Corker. I’ll get Ken, and we’ll be on our way. We’ve got a good walk in front of us, and Ken has to go to work tomorrow.’
‘You tell Ken his mam’s waiting, Jack,’ Molly said. ‘And tell the other boys it’s time they went home. Remind them it’s work tomorrow, and if they’re anything like our Tommy used to be, they’ll be holy terrors to get out of bed.’ Then she said to Claire, ‘I’ll just go in with Corker for the list off Ellen. I won’t stay too long.’
‘Which way are yer walking?’ Derek asked, left alone with Claire and Amy. ‘I’m walking too, and if we’re going in the same direction I’ll see yer safely home.’
Claire shook her head. ‘I wouldn’t dream of it, Derek. I’ll have Ken and Amy with me, and we’ll be home in no time.’
‘How far have yer got to go?’
When Claire gave him the name of the street she lived in, Derek chuckled. ‘Now that really is a coincidence. I live three streets away from yer.’
There was surprise in Claire’s voice. ‘Do yer? It’s funny we’ve never bumped into each other before now.’
‘I’ve been going away to sea since I was seventeen, so I haven’t been at home very often. I live with me ma. Me dad died a few years ago.’
There was laughter and good-humoured chattering as five boys spilled on to the pavement. Ken came first, followed by Johnny, Jeff and the two Corkhill brothers. Ken was more animated than Claire had ever seen him, and her heart lifted. This is what his life should be about. Mixing and enjoying the things other boys his age were doing. ‘Might see yer next Friday, then,’ he called as the others moved away. ‘I’ll keep me fingers crossed.’
Claire waited until the boys were out of earshot before asking, ‘Oh, aye, and am I allowed to ask what ye’re hoping for next Friday?’
The boy was in very high spirits. ‘We’ve had a smashing time, Mam. We were supposed to be playing cards, but we did more laughing. Ruthie is going to ask Mrs B. if we can come again next week.’
‘I hope you weren’t the one who suggested it, son, ’cos that’s asking a lot of Mrs Bennett. Don’t forget, she has to move out to let yer have the place to yerselves.’
‘I didn’t suggest it, Mam, I wouldn’t do that. It was Gordon Corkhill I think, but it might have been Ruthie herself.’ His heartbeat was slowing down when he asked, ‘Did you and Amy enjoy yerselves?’
‘Enjoy meself! Me sides are still aching from laughing.’
‘So are mine, Ken,’ Amy said. ‘It’s been smashing. I’ve never seen anyone as funny as Mrs McDonough. She doesn’t half make me laugh.’
Claire glanced at the Corkhills’ house. There was no sign of Molly, and time was getting on. ‘I feel mean not waiting to see Molly and thanking her for having us, but it’s late for Amy to be up, so we’ll head home and I’ll call here through the week to see Molly and Nellie.’
‘I’ll be coming to Corker’s tomorrow,’ Derek said, ‘so I’ll explain to Molly. She won’t mind. She isn’t one to take offence easily.’
There was little Claire could do but introduce Derek. ‘He’s a friend of Mr Corkhill, and I’ve just found out he lives near us.’
Derek nodded. ‘I’ll walk home with yer. We can keep each other company. You and me can walk behind, Ken, and yer can tell me about yer job. I heard yer work with Phil?’
That was all Ken needed. Doreen’s husband was Ken’s hero: he really looked up to him. So he didn’t find it hard talking about Phil to a man he’d only just met. Conversation between them flowed easily as the lad talked about his job, and Derek told of his love of the sea, and how he’d found it exciting visiting some of the most exotic countries in the world. ‘The war was no picnic, though. Many’s the time I thought me number was up.’
Walking ahead with her arm across her daughter’s shoulders, Claire thought this was the night her son began to live the life of a boy who was nearly fifteen. And she prayed he would go forth and have a smooth journey into manhood.
They reached the corner of her street, and Claire said, ‘This is where we part company. You don’t have to come to the door with us – we’ll be fine.’
Derek didn’t want to push himself on them, so he nodded. ‘I’ll see yer around. Goodnight.’
It was when Claire was putting the key in the door that Ken said, ‘I like Derek. He’s what I call a man, like me dad was. Not like Mr Collins.’
Her hand still on the key in the lock, Claire looked over her shoulder. ‘Ken, that’s not a very nice thing to say.’
‘I’m only saying what I think, Mam! Yer wouldn’t want me to lie, would yer? I liked Derek, and I didn’t like Mr Collins.’
Claire pushed the door open. ‘Yer wouldn’t be trying to matchmake, would yer, Ken? ’Cos yer’d be wasting yer time. I’ve already made up me mind not to see Mr Collins again, and tonight is the first time I’ve spoken to Derek.’
‘Okay, Mam, I get yer drift. I won’t mention it again.’ But as he closed and bolted the door behind them, Ken was making up his mind to find out if Derek was married.
Back in the Corkhill house, Molly was staring at Corker in disbelief. ‘Thirty people! Corker, it’ll cost yer a fortune! And how do yer get the number to so many?’
‘I want all me friends and family there, Molly, young and old. And Ellen agrees with me. We’ve never given a proper party before, and as we’ve got the money, we’ve decided to push the boat out. With the Bennetts, McDonoughs, Corkhills, Jacksons and Higginses, plus all the young ones at your house tonight, it comes to thirty. There was nobody I could leave out, Molly: I want everyone there. Derek and his ma are on the list, and with you saying you and Nellie are fond of Claire, I’ve got her name on there as well. That makes it a nice round number.’
Gordon had been listening, and now he asked, ‘Did yer say yer had all our mates down, Dad, and Ken?’
‘All down, son, and if I think of anyone I’ve left off, I’m sure Edna Hanley would be able to squeeze them in.’
‘Well, on yer own head be it, Corker,’ Molly said. ‘But depending on what yer want for the buffet, it’s going to add up to a fair amount.’
Ellen passed another sheet of paper over. ‘See what yer think, Molly. I’ve got pies and sausage rolls down, plus a variety of sandwiches and cakes. But if you and Edna come up with
something different, then go ahead and order it. You’ve never been let down by the Hanleys regarding food, so we’ll be guided by them.’
‘Right, I’ll see Edna tomorrow.’ Molly was folding the two sheets of paper when she suddenly said, ‘Oh, my God, I’ve forgotten about Claire! She’ll think I’m a fine one leaving her standing outside.’
‘She won’t be there now, Auntie Molly,’ Peter told her, ‘’cos I heard Derek say he’d walk them home.’
Molly breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Thank goodness for that! Now I’ll go and see if Ruthie’s gone to bed, and if Jack has a hot cup of tea ready for his ever-loving wife.’
Corker saw her to the door. ‘Tell Edna Hanley not to worry about the money side, I don’t want her to spare anything. I’d like the do to be on a level with the parties you and Nellie have had there. And I’ll make sure the drinks are delivered.’
‘I’ll let yer know tomorrow what she says. And I’ll have a list of available dates for yer. Goodnight and God bless, Corker.’
He bent his huge frame to kiss her cheek. ‘Goodnight and God bless, Molly, me darlin’.’
Chapter Twenty-Six
When Molly and Nellie arrived at the baker’s shop on the Saturday morning, they found the shop bursting at the seams, with customers waiting outside to get in. Through the window Molly could see that Edna and her daughter Emily were rushed off their feet. ‘It’s no good waiting here, sunshine,’ she said, ‘we’d be here for ages. And I couldn’t expect Edna to leave her customers long enough for me to tell her about Corker wanting to book her upstairs room. I think we’d be better doing the rest of our shopping and coming back here later, when it might not be so busy.’
‘Suits me, girl, but yer’d better try and catch Edna’s eye and remind her to put our bread aside, in case she’s sold out by the time we get back.’
‘Yeah, that’s a good idea.’ Molly stood in front of the window waiting to catch Edna’s attention. She could see the woman was red in the face as she raced to serve impatient customers. Even over the noise, Molly could hear one irate shopper arguing that she was next to be served. And although it was only faint, she heard an equally irate Edna telling the woman, ‘For heaven’s sake, Rita, I’ve only got one pair of hands. I’ll see to yer next, when I’ve sorted Ivy out. Just keep yer flipping hair on.’
